Rap: Caleb Williams (hamstring) likely sits Week 3

This was expected to be the case but is now confirmed by sources close to the team. Williams returns after missing the previous three games as the Bears look to claw their way back into contention in a crowded NFC North division. Consider it a sizable boost for all Chicago pass catchers.

Normally, social media posts don’t count for much. However, earlier today, Bears coach Ben Johnson said that the Bears should have more clarity on Williams’ status by the end of the day, after the medical team put Williams through “the final stress tests” in his return-to-play program. We are inferring that Williams’ social media post suggests he passed the final medical testing, though we have not officially received word that this is indeed the case. For now, we tentatively expect Williams to play on Sunday. He can be treated as a mid-to-low QB1.

The Bears are smartly taking a conservative approach with their franchise quarterback. Williams had a limited practice session last week and practiced fully this week. Bears coach Ben Johnson told reporters that the team should have more clarity by the end of the day on whether Williams has passed his return-to-play plan’s final stress tests. Stay tuned.

The Bears’ QB1 is seemingly on track to make his return this week, when his team takes on the Falcons. When speaking to reporters after practice, though, Williams said he does not know if he is going to play yet, adding that he still has a number of tests and protocols to go through before he’s cleared. If active, Williams could end up running a little less frequently than he did early in the year, perhaps playing cautiously in his first game back. Regardless, Williams is a low-end QB1 if he is indeed active.

Technically, Williams was estimated as a full participant ahead of the Bears’ Week 6 game against the Falcons. We’ll see if Williams, who has missed the past three games, practices in full on Thursday. Either way he’s likely to be under center against the pass-funnel Atlanta defense in Week 6. He should be in all lineups if he’s active.

Head coach Ben Johnson said on Sunday that Williams would be “close” to suiting up for Week 6, and he reportedly had a good workout before Week 5’s game against the Packers. Williams has missed the last three games with the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 2, but the Bears have managed to go 2-1 over that span. Williams logged one limited practice last week, after being a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday. If he can get on the practice field multiple days this week, it would be a good sign for his availability for next week’s game against the Falcons.

With the Bears trailing 31-7, Keenum was subbed in for Tyson Bagent for the fourth quarter. He provided more passing production in one quarter than Bagent did in three, but the Packers were obviously sitting back a bit in coverage. Keenum also equalled Bagent’s turnover total, as he lost a fumble in addition to his pick. Keenum was livelier than Bagent, but hardly better. With Caleb Williams appearing likely to return from his hamstring injury in Week 6 against the Falcons, this is hopefully the last we hear of the Bears’ backup situation for the foreseeable future. If it’s not, we would have to assume it’s now “advantage Keenum.”

It was time. Bagent found himself on the pine for the entirely of the final frame. Before his removal, he had thrown two awful picks without coming particularly close to any noteworthy plays. Bagent lacks NFL caliber arm strength, and it is worth wondering if coach Ben Johnson would have stuck with Case Keenum for the duration of Caleb Williams’ absence had he not wanted to avoid the precedent that you can lose your job while concussed (Bagent missed Week 2 with the aforementioned head injury). It’s hopefully a moot point now, as Williams appears set to return from his hamstring issue in Week 6 against the Falcons. If it’s not Williams, it will almost certainly be Keenum. Bagent can be cut loose in superflex leagues.

Why the Bears went through the dog and pony show of labeling Williams as “questionable” when everybody knew he would not be playing, nobody knows. Either way, Williams appears to have a strong chance of returning for Week 6 against the Falcons. Expect another run-heavy game plan, even without Monangai, in what should be the final game of the Tyson Bagent experience for the time being.

Williams is technically listed as questionable for Week 5 versus the Packers, but Tyson Bagent is fully expected to make the start. Still, Williams’ return to practice on Friday was a pleasant surprise for Bears fans. If all goes well in practice next week, he could return after missing just three games, which was on the short end of his projected timeline.